Bioupdate Research-Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushroom » Maitake

[#2025-03] Maitake Konno, Sensuke et al. Hypoglycemic Effect of Mushroom Extract (SXF) on Type 2 Diabetes Patients and Its Possible Mechanism

mushroom — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 18:32:12 +0000

It has been long demanded that a better treatment modality for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) needs to be established, but few suitable regimens have yet been found. We came across the bioactive mushroom extract, SX-fraction (SXF), which appeared to have a hypoglycemic effect. Hence, we investigated if SXF would actually have such an effect, as well as its possible hypoglycemic mechanism. A small-scale clinical study including ten volunteered T2DM patients was conducted. They took a SXF tablet (500 mg) three times a day for 4 weeks, as the fasting blood glucose (FBG) values were measured periodically. The hypoglycemic mechanism of SXF was explored, focusing on the insulin signal transduction (IST) pathway, using skeletal muscle L6 cells in vitro . We found that all 10 patients demonstrated the significant decreases in their FBG levels, from an average of 205 mg/dL to 116 mg/dL, in 4 weeks. This ~42% decline in FBG is remarkable and none of participants presented adverse effects. We then found that the glucose-suppressed IST pathway in L6 cells was significantly activated with SXF. The three key parameters, insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and protein kinase B (Akt), were all highly phosphorylated and activated. Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) was subsequently translocated (to the plasma membrane), and glucose uptake resulted in a ~1.9-fold greater than that of glucose-suppressed cells or 21% higher than that of control (vehicle) cells. In conclusion, SXF demonstrates its hypoglycemic effect on T2DM patients, significantly (~42%) lowering their FBG levels in 4 weeks. Such a hypoglycemic mechanism appears to be associated with insulin sensitization through activation of the IST pathway. Thus, SXF could be a natural, safe, and alternative agent for treatment of T2DM patients, improving their diabetic conditions.

[#2025-02] Maitake Konno, Sensuke et al. Anticancer Activity of Maitake D-Fraction

mushroom — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:53:40 +0000

We have been studying anticancer effect of Maitake D-fraction (PDF), isolated from maitake mushroom, on various cancer cells in the past 24 years. PDF was highly effective on those cells, profoundly reducing their cell viability. However, we have not yet examined PDF on other cancer cells, particularly pancreatic, cervical, and small-cell lung cancer cells, which had been known to be
dismal and deadly. Hence, we investigated if PDF alone or its combination with vitamin C (VC) might have a significant anticancer effect against those cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer AsPC-1, cervical cancer HT-3, and small-cell lung cancer H69AR cells, were treated with PDF or the combination of PDF and VC for 72 or 96 h and cell viability was determined to assess anticancer effect. The potential anticancer mechanism was also explored, focusing on glycolysis, chromatin structure, and apoptosis. A dose-dependent study showed that ≥30 μg/ml, ≥50 μg/ml, and ≥50 μg/ml of PDF led to the significant reduction in cell viability of AsPC-1, HT-3, and H69AR cells, respectively – the greater cell viability reduction is indicative of the greater anticancer effect.
When these cancer cells were treated with the combination of PDF and VC with their ineffective/negligeable concentrations, their cell viability was more profoundly reduced , demonstrating a synergistic potentiation. Moreover, such a potentiation was rimarily associated with increased oxidative stress (OXS), glycolysis inhibition, chromatin modifications, and ultimate apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates anticancer effect of PDF and its synergistic potentiation with VC against AsPC-1, HT-3, and H69AR cells. Particularly, the enhancement of anticancer effect with the PDF/VC combination is rather extraordinary, accompanied by alterations in the essential cellular events. Therefore, PDF alone or its combination with VC may have some clinical implications in patients with various cancers.

[#2025-01] Maitake Ding, Yin-Yi et al. Structure characterization of Grifola frondosa polysaccharide….insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice

mushroom — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:31:40 +0000

Polysaccharide extracted from Grifola frondosa (GFP) was selected in this study. After preliminary separation, four factions were collected, named GFP-F1, GFP-F2, GFP-F3 and GFP-F4. GPF-F2 was further separated into two fractions, namely GFP-N1 and GFP-N2. The molecular weight of GFP-N1 and GFP-N2 was 3.323×103kDa and 10.8 kDa, respectively. GFP-N1 was composed of glucose and galactose and 1→3, 1→4, and 1→6 glycosidic bonds. GFP-N2 was composed of glucose, galactose and mannose and 1→2, 1→3, 1→4, and 1→6 glycosidic bonds. GFP could significantly relieve the insulin resistance induced by HFD. GFP significantly alleviated gut microbiota disturbance caused by HFD and increased the production of short-chain fatty acids, and further reduced the expression of LPS/TLR4 inflammatory pathway. GFP significantly reduced the oxidative stress induced by HFD, increased the expression of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. These results indicated that GFP could be developed as a potential ingredient for the management of insulin resistance.

[#2024-01] Maitake Balogh, Gabriela Pharmacokinetic Parameters and Tissular Biodistribution of 1,3 β-Glucans

mushroom — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 19:17:32 +0000

This study aimed to analyze the pharmacokinetic parameters of 1,3-beta-glucans from Maitake Pro4X in BALBc mice through oral and Intra Venous (IV) administration. The objectives were to determine the following parameters: Tmax, Cmax, t1/2, ta1/2, Ke, Ka, Clearance, Vd, Cp0, and AUC. Additionally, the tissue distribution of 1,3-beta-glucans after oral and IV administration of Maitake Pro4X was examined to identify the organs involved in absorption, elimination, and distribution. The results comparison indicated that certain elimination constants were similar in both administration routes (ke3 IV and ke2 oral). Both routes showed a Tmax of 10 hours. The elimination t1/2 was comparable for both routes (12.93 hours for oral and 12.81 hours for IV). Total systemic clearance values were also similar. However, the IV route exhibited a higher volume of distribution but lower AUC Cp vs. time. The findings suggest that the gastrointestinal organs (stomach, duodenum, and colon) exhibited the highest levels of uptake for both administration routes. Conversely, the liver and kidney showed the lowest uptake for both routes. Comparatively, oral administration resulted in greater gastrointestinal accumulation, while cerebral, pulmonary, renal, and hepatic uptakes were higher after intravenous administration. The in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in murine models led to the conclusion that oral and intravenous administration had similar values for elimination rate, Maximum plasma concentration Time (Tmax), Half-Life (T1/2), total systemic clearance, and bioavailability. Both routes exhibited a Cmax peak and a high volume of distribution, indicating low binding to plasma proteins. Biodistribution studies in murine models revealed greater uptake of the compound in the gastrointestinal tract after both oral and IV administration, with gastric uptake being predominant, along with significant uptake in the duodenum and colon (in the order of millions of pg.h/ml). The presence of β-glucans in the brain suggests the ability of Maitake to cross the blood-brain barrier. The lower relative uptake observed in the hepatorenal region indicates a slower rate of inactivation and excretion of the compound, as evidenced by an extended circulation time in the body after a single administration.

[#2020-01] Maitake Konno, Sensuke et al. Chemosensitizing effect of maitake mushroom extract on carmustine cytoxicity in human bladder cancer cells

mushroom — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 15:41:10 +0000

This study shows that anticancer activity of BCNU is significantly potentiated with PDF in T24 cells. This is rather attributed to inactivated Gly-I and increased oxidative stress. Therefore, PDF appears to have a chemosensitizing effect capable of enhancing BCNU cytotoxicity, which may offer an alternative, improved therapeutic option for bladder cancer.

[#2019-03] Coriolus, Maitake Roca-Lema, Daniel et al. In Vitro Anti-proliferative and Anti-invasive effect

mushroom — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 15:38:04 +0000

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of leading cause of mortality in western countries and novel treatment strategies are required. The medicinal application of mushrooms has been used in traditional medicine in many oriental countries. Polysaccharide-rich extracts obtained from certain medicinal mushroom species have shown antitumor effects in different experimental models. In the present study, we have developed polysaccharide-rich extracts from Trametes versicolor (TV) and Grifola frondosa (GF) fruit bodies. We aim to evaluate the anticancer effects of these polysaccharide-rich extracts in LoVo and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. The in vitro effects were determined by cytotoxicity assay, proliferation assay, wound healing assay and invasion assay. Moreover, the effect on anchorage independent-cell growth was also determined. Our results showed that TV and GF extracts did inhibit human colon cell proliferation and induce cytotoxicity. Furthermore, both fungal extracts significantly inhibited oncogenic potential, cell migration and invasion in colon cancer cells. In addition, extracts induce a more epithelial phenotype, observed by phase contrast images, together with an increase expression of the E-cadherin epithelial marker, detected by western-blotting analyses. Moreover, by using gelatin zymography assays, it was detected a decrease of MMP-2 enzyme activity, a crucial metalloproteinase important for the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Finally, the combination of the extracts with one the most clinical used agents for colorectal cancer, 5-fluorouracil, increases cell cytotoxicity. Taken together our results underscore a potential antitumor effect of polysaccharide-rich extracts obtained from TV and GF in human colon cancer cells lines. These finding may contribute to the reported health effects of fungal extracts.

[#2018-09] Maitake Zhang, Michael et al. Enhanced Anticancer Effect by Combination of Proteoglucan and Vitamin K3

mushroom — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:30:52 +0000

Bladder cancer is the second common genitourinary malignancy next to prostate cancer in the United States.1 Nearly 82,000 new cases would be diagnosed and ~ 17,000 people may die this year (2018).1 Approximately 75% of all newly diagnosed cases will present nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) including stage Ta, T1 and carcinoma in situ,2,3 while other 25% are muscle invasive bladder cancers (MIBCs) or metastatic cancers.3 The primary treatment for NMIBC is transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT);4 however, NMIBC following TURBT has a high recurrence rate of up to 70%, of which ~ 20% may progress to advanced MIBC.5 The reason(s) for this high recurrence is/are not fully understood, but a multifocal origin of disease, as well as intrinsic acquired resistance to drugs, appears to be a major cause of such a high incidence of disease relapse.6 Hence, the primary therapeutic aim is to prevent multiple recurrences and progression to a more advanced, MIBC. To reduce or minimize the risk of tumor recurrence, intravesical immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is often recommended following TURBT.5,7 This intravesical BCG administration is indeed the most effective therapy among currently available therapeutic options – it has been shown to alter disease progression, reduce recurrence, and increase survival.7,8 However, up to 80% of patients will have recurrence and up to 45% of them may progress to MIBC within 5 years.9 In addition, its benefits are also outweighed by its severe side effects including cystitis, fever, sepsis, and allergic reactions10 so that BCG treatment is often withdrawn from the recommended 1–3 year treatment protocol. These concerns thus limit its use in clinical practice and demonstrate the need for a nontoxic, safe, effective treatment modality with few side effects.

[#2018-06] Maitake Mao, Guang-Hua et al. Effect of Grifola frondosa polysaccharide on anti-tumor activity.pdf

mushroom — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 19:25:35 +0000

GP11 had been reported to have effectively anti-tumor activity by improving the immune function in our previous study. To avoid drawbacks of the 5-Fu, GP11 in combinationwith 5-Fuwas investigated in this study. The results demonstrated that such synergism displayed enhance the anti-tumor activity of 5-Fu. Additionally, a strength effectwas also observed in regulating immune function of GP11 and 5-Fu simultaneous administration, such as enhancing seruminterleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion, and increasing immune organs weights. Moreover, GP11 could improve the haematological and biochemical parameters deterioration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities reduction and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels enhancement in non-immune organs induced by 5-Fu. All these results illustrated that GP11 exhibited attenuated and synergized effect on 5-Fu by improving the immune function. It could be developed as an auxiliary preparation for chemotherapeutic drugs.

[#2018-05] Maitake Huang, Jian et al. Grifola Frondosa Polysaccharide improves neutrophils immune function

mushroom — Tue, 15 May 2018 15:12:18 +0000

Grifola frondosa polysaccharide (GFP) is the extract of Grifola frondosa. In this study, 50 male wistar rats were separated into S + C, S + T, LG + T, MG + T and HG + T groups to study the effect of GFP on the immune function of heavy load exercising rats. In S + T group, blood neutrophil number, neutrophil phagocytic index and bactericidal capacity decreased significantly, and adhesion function showed remarkable increase after 8 weeks excessive exercise. Low, medium and high doses of GFP were administered to different groups based on gavage. After gavaging GFP during the eight weeks of excessive exercise, blood neutrophils in the MG + T group and HG + T group were 15.3% and 7.9% higher than in the S + T group. The blood neutrophil phagocytic indices in the MG + T and HG + T groups increased to 1.19 and 1.20, respectively, from 1.02 in the S + T group. The neutrophil bactericidal ability of blood cells in the MG + T and HG + T groups was also observed to be 46.6% and 45.6%, respectively, in comparison with 39.7% for S + T and 39.2% for LG + T group. Blood neutrophil adhesion function in the MG + T and HG + T groups was 57.4% and 57.6%, respectively. This is significantly lower than 65.6% in the S+T group. We demonstrate that feeding a medium or high dose of GFP can improve the neutrophil immune function of excessively exercising rats. A medium dose of GFP shows the most significant effect.

[#2018-04] Maitake Li, Qian et al. Purification, characterization and immunomodulatory activity of a novel polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa

mushroom — Tue, 01 May 2018 15:15:27 +0000

A novel bioactive polysaccharide, GFP-22, was isolated from the fruit bodies of Grifola frondosa by anion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Structure of GFP-22 was investigated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), methylation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-performance size exclusion chromatography-multi-angle laser light scattering-refractive index detector (HPSEC-MALLS-RI) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. The backbone of GFP-22 is composed of 1,4-β-D-Glcp, 1,3-β-D-Glcp, 1,6-α-D-Glcp, 1,6-α-D-Galp, 1,4,6-α-D-Manp and 1,3,6-α-D-Manp units. Molecular weight of GFP-22 is 2.72 × 104 Da. GFP-22 has a linear filamentous structure. The administration of GFP-22 could improve or reverse the CTX-induced immunosuppression, significantly enhance the spleen and thymus indices, spleen lymphocyte proliferation and cytokines production in splenocytes. These findings suggest that GFP-22 could be explored as a natural and potential immunomodulatory agent and as an alternative means of lessening chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.